SNMA
President Christen Johnson is being honored during Black History Month as a
part of NBCBLK28 a series of article developed by NBC News to recognize the
accomplishments of 28 African American innovators,
vanguards, trendsetters and pioneers under 28 years old. According to NBC, "This
year's crop is redefining what it means to be young, gifted and
unapologetically Black. Make sure you check out Christen’s story on
February 24th.

Christen
described the being honored by NBC as "humbling and speechless,” and that the
"honor is not only for me, but for SNMA.” Being President not only gives
Christen a chance to change the way minorities look at medicine, but also as
"[a] opportunity to inspire people.”

When asked
what prompted her to go into the medical field, Christen recalls a story when
she was younger and had an ear infection. She was treated by a black physician
who let her play with the instruments. From that experience, Christen
discovered that she didn’t chose medicine but "medicine chose her.”

To be a
minority pursuing the medical field has always been intimidating for many
people, and it often discourages them from pursuing the field. However,
Christen described African American history as going "beyond the USA.” The
"first doctors came from Africa” as slaves and were brought to treat various
ailments. Therefore, the field of medicine is "in our blood.”

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